» On Monday, March 28, 2005 at 11:50 PM EST WWE Raw Results
March 28, 2005
Fort Worth, TX
Commentators: Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler
Reported by: Hunter Golden of WrestleView.com
HIGHLIGHT REEL W/ CHRIS JERICHO
Jericho comes out and says that the anticipation for Wrestlemania 21 is bigger then the state of Texas. He talks about men making history at Wrestlemania and how he made history by becoming the first Undisputed Champion ever. He said that no one wanted to win that contract more then him and that he’d win the match at Wrestlemania 21. Jericho then introduced his guests for the night, WWE Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin and Chris Benoit, opponents of Jericho’s at Wrestlemania.
Jericho talked about how Benjamin and Benoit were his friends. But, he said “This Sunday at Wrestlemania 21, we’re going to be anything but friends”. Benoit had no problem with Jericho’s remarks but that he questioned that Jericho had the most desire of any of the workers. Benoit cited that he had that hunger and that he wanted to relive the feeling he had at Wrestlemania XX. Benoit went on about how dangerous ladder matches were and that no one was hungrier to climb the ladder and sign the contract then him.
Benjamin interjected and said that he was beyond hungry, that he was starving to become World Heavyweight Champion because he never held that title before. He insisted he was the only one who knew anything about being a champion in the ring.
Christian’s music hit then he came out with Tyson Tomko. Christian said that his opponents weren’t hungry, that they were full… full of crap. He said no one had more incentive to win the ladder match then Christian. He said that he was the underdog and said that he was at his best when his back was against the wall. He asked the others in the ring to imagine what it would be like when he was champ. Benjamin said he’d “get his ass whooped” and Benoit agreed. Christian then cited his two previous Wrestlemania ladder match victories just as Edge’s music hit the arena.
Edge cited that he too had two Wrestlemania ladder match wins with Christian. He said he’d win his third on his own. He told the rest to save their history, their Intercontinental titles, and their broken necks. Edge said he did all of that and that he’d snap all their necks if that’s what it took to win at Wrestlemania. Benoit told him that he wouldn’t get his neck snapped, but Edge would before decking Edge, which was followed by a melee.
--Commercial--
Bischoff came out over the break and announced that a six man tag team match would happen immediately
Chris Jericho, Shelton Benjamin, and Chris Benoit v. Edge, Christian, and Tyson Tomko
We came back with action in the ring between Christian and Jericho. Jericho quickly tagged in Shelton Benjamin who clamped Christian in a headlock before being slung into the ropes and knocking Capt. Charisma down with a shoulder block. He locked the headlock in again but was backed into the corner by Christian who tagged in Tyson Tomko. Tomko came at Benjamin and backed him back into the corner. Benjamin fought back and flew into the ropes only to be met with a choke slam. Eventually, Tomko tagged in Edge who continued to work over Benjamin with some punches before choking him in the ropes. Edge then hit Benjamin with a sumplex and only got a one and a half count on the cover. Edge took Benoit back to his corner and tagged in Christian who immediately whipped Benjamin into the ropes and was met with a cross body. Christian quickly recovered however and regained the advantage with a clothesline before locking Benjamin in a front face lock. Benjamin ultimately fought his way to his corner and tagged Benoit but referee Earl Hebner didn’t see the tag. Christian immediately backed Benjamin into the corner and tagged in Edge. Edge applied a reverse chin lock. Benjamin fought his way out and countered a back body drop before the two both hit a double clothesline, leaving both on the mat. Benjamin struggled to the corner and tagged Benoit and came in and cleaned house, hitting two snap sumplexes on Edge and Christian. Benoit jumped on Edge and tried to snare him in the sharpshooter before Christian came running in, only to get caught in Benoit’s patented three German sumplexes. Benoit climbed to the top to deliver his headbutt was but was knocked down onto the buckle by Edge. Edge then hit a superplex on a now bloody Benoit.
--Commercial--
We came back to the action with Christian keeping Benoit in a rear chin lock. They showed that Tomko was the one who busted Benoit open with a punch. Christian then began to hit Benoit in the head before re-applying the reverse chin lock. Benoit eventually fought off the hold and countered with some chops before ending up on the business end of a Christian shoulder block. Christian then set up Benoit for a super-plex on the top rope, but Benoit countered butting the heck out of Christian’s head. Benoit then scaled the rope and delivered his head but. Benoit, bleeding badly made it to the corner and tagged in Chris Jericho. Jericho came in and cleaned house, eventually hitting a running inzeguri and getting a two count on the cover. Hell broke out after that and Edge eventually speared Tomko, missing Jericho. Christian took exception and confronted Edge. Benjamin then went for a spinning heel kick and missed and nailed Benoit. Jericho took advantage of the situation and snared Tomko in the walls of Jericho for the tap out victory.
Winners: Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and Shelton Benjamin via submission.
After the match Christian went after Jericho with the ladder and began celebrating a bit before Kane hit the ring and cleaned house, hitting Benjamin, Jericho, and Christian with the ladder and knocking off Edge with the choke slam. Kane then scaled the ladder and set his four corner-pyro off. Ross put over the devastation and carnage in the ring and that Kane was the biggest, strongest, and nastiest man in the match. Lawler predicted that Kane would win.
King then promo’d the HBK v. Muhammad Hassan match later tonight.
JR put over the Batista and Triple H face off later that match.
--Commercial--
JR put over Wrestlemania 21 on Sunday and talked about the voting on WWE.com about their trailers before the Kurt Angle and Christy Hemme “Harry Met Sally” spoof was played.
Erich Bischoff was in the back talking to Batista and implored Batista to not attack Triple H saying that he couldn’t afford an injury this close to Wrestlemania. Batista stopped him and said he wouldn’t cause any troubles but if Triple H did, he would finish it. Bischoff went to leave but turned and asked if Batista was kidding about his ‘used car salesman’ joke. Batista said he wasn’t. Bischoff said that he liked his Wrestlemania promo and that it was his favorite. Batista said he thought Bischoff could be a big star too. Batista said that Bischoff reminded him of the gimp from “Pulp Fiction”.
Christy Hemme v. Trish Stratus in an Arm Wrestling match is next.
--Commercial--
We came back to see highlights of the Christy Hemme pin last week on Molly Holly. JR and King put over the Women’s Title match between Christy Hemme and Trish Stratus and Wrestlemania 21 on Sunday.
Christy Hemme w/ Lita v. Trish Stratus--- Arm Wrestling Match
The rules were explained to both participants. The two locked hands but Trish backed out and went to warm up some more by doing curls and flexing he biceps. The two locked arms and Christy won with ease.
Winner: Christy Hemme via ‘pin’… or not.
Trish said she wasn’t ready and wanted another try. Christy obliged and beat Trish quickly again.
Winner: Christy Hemme via ‘pin’… again
Trish then decked Lita, Christy, and Lillian Garcia after the match before making her way back up the ramp while talking smack to Lita and Christy on her way out.
Randy Orton was seen arriving in the arena. JR said he hoped Orton would apologize for his actions last week when he RKO’d Stacey.
--Commercial--
Randy Orton walked down the ramp and was ushered in with a “You Suck” chant from the crowd.
Orton said that he RKO’d Stacey last week because he didn’t feel she was really supporting because she hesitated when asked if she thought he could beat the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. He said that you’re either with him or against him. He went on to say that he thought Stacey was a distraction and that he needed to get all his distractions out of the way. Orton insisted that he wasn’t afraid of the Undertaker and that his future “doesn’t involve a tombstone or even a headstone. It involves a hall of fame plaque.”
The Undertaker’s gong hit and a video package highlighting all of his Wrestlemania victories was shown. The ring posts then blew up and burst into flames. Orton looked very scared.
--Commercial--
Randy Orton was shown running around, frantically, backstage. He heard his name called out and it turned out to be Kane who scared Orton even more.
World Tag Team Championship
Tajiri and William Regal © v. Simon Dean and Maven v. La Resistance
This was a triple-threat match in which the first team to score a pin would be declared the winners. The match was very short with Tajiri eventually gaining the pin on Maven to retain the titles.
Winners and STILL World Tag Team Champions: William Regal and Tajiri
Triple H was in the back looking into the mirror. Eric Bischoff came into the locker room and gave Hunter the same run down that he gave Batista, that Hunter couldn’t touch him. Bischoff called Batista an ‘ingrate’.
--Commercial--
Shawn Michaels v. Muhammad Hassan
Hassan came out to some pretty intense heat. He grabbed the mic and talked about how it was ‘racist’ that he was excluded from the Wrestlemania 21 card. He said he’d take some great pleasure in defeating Shawn Michaels, whom he dubbed “Mr. Wrestlemania”.
HBK came out quickly landing an intense flurry on Hassan before ejecting him over the top rope and onto Daivari whom was on the outside with a clothesline. With the two stumbling over each other, the show cut to a commercial,
--Commercial--
We came back from break with Hassan controlling the match. Hassan worked over HBK’s back, eventually snagging him in the camel clutch. Michaels almost tapped, but managed to fight out of it. Michaels fought out of Hassan’s Camel Clutch and went on the offensive. Michaels hit two inverted atomic drops and followed up with his big elbow off the top rope. Michaels nipped up and started prepping for his sweet chin music. Kurt Angle appeared out of nowhere and yanked HBK’s legs out from under him. HBK rallied though, overcoming a double team effort from Hassan and Angle, nearly getting snared in an Angle slam. He went for sweet chin music on Angle, but Angle rolled out of the ring and took off through the crowd with the police attempting to eject him from the building.
Winner: No Contest
--Commercial--
Erich Bischoff was in the back with security guards. He lambasted them for allowing Kurt Angle into the arena. He said that the face off would be a powder keg waiting to explode and that he didn’t want any bad situations.
JR and King put over the Wrestlemania Card. Here’s the Card.
World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H © v. Batista
WWE Championship
JBL © v. John Cena
Kurt Angle v. Shawn Michaels
Undertaker v. Randy Orton
Big Show v. Akebono
Six Man Ladder Match
Chris Benoit v. Chris Jericho v. Edge v. Shelton Benjamin v. Kane v. Christian
Rey Mysterio v. Eddie Guererro
WWE Women’s Championship
Christy Hemme v. Trish Stratus
Piper’s Pit featuring Stone Cold Steve Austin
JR then did a lead in to the Batista v. Triple H Wrestlemania 21 match.
A video package aired about Batista-Triple H and recapped their history and feud.
Eric Bischoff’s music then hit and he walked out to the ring while King and JR put over the upcoming face off between Triple H and Batista.
--Commercial--
Raw GM Eric Bischoff was in the ring with a table set up with chairs. He explained the rules of the face off saying that each superstar had the opportunity to say that they could say whatever was on their minds to the other. He introduced The World Heavyweight Champion, Triple H who came out to some colossal heat.
Triple H and Batista Face Off
Triple H came out and kicked his legs up on the desk. Batista came out in his ring gear and the two stared each other down briefly. Bischoff seated the two and here we go.
Bischoff let Triple H go first. He stood up and paced around the table a bit, staring down a relaxed looking Batista. He called Batista an ‘ungrateful piece of crap”. He went on about Batista and how this is the kind of payment he’s getting for the work he’s been doing. He said that everything he had and everything he did was given to him by Triple H. Hunter continued saying that no one knew who Batista was before Triple H “plucked him from obscurity and made [him] a star’. He didn’t do it because he needed to because he was champ long before he met Batista and that he still is. He said he allowed Batista come along for the ride. Triple H reiterated the fact that Batista was nothing before he found him. He said that in six days he’d put Batista back where he found him. Hunter said Batista’s ‘ride was over’. Triple H demanded Batista look into his eyes to see his future and the truth. “In six days at Wrestlemania 21, you’re future is gonna happen, it’s going to be the day that you find out that you made the biggest mistake of your life”. He said that Batista knew the truth and that he couldn’t beat him at Wrestlemania. He asked Batista what he had to say about all that.
Batista, looking pretty ticked off, stood up and addressed Hunter. He dropped the line “You talkin’ to me”? Batista thanked Hunter for everything he and Ric Flair had taught him, especially Flair. Batista called Flair a ‘true legend’. Batista then turned to Triple H and said he only had two things to say to Triple H. “1.) Sunday at Wrestlemania 21, I’m going to take your World Heavyweight Championship. 2.) I don’t know how to say this so I’m just going to go ahead and say it. You are an asshole.”
Triple H then flipped the table and went face to face with Batista and the two engaged in a long stare down. The crowd chanted Batista’s name boisterously as Triple H began to back off. Triple H turned to Flair and then turned back to Batista and slapped him across the face. Batista said “thank you” and then jumped the game.
Flair tried to save the day but was tossed away. Security jumped in the ring to get Batista off Triple H . The two broke up briefly and Hunter landed a right hook. An absolute melee then broke out and Batista took Hunter down hard. Triple H eventually rolled out of the ring as Batista gave Flair and The Game the thumbs down as the show went off the air.RAW THOUGHTS
The Good: Great opening six-man tag. It served as excellent build up for Sunday’s upcoming ladder match. The promo on the highlight reel was gold and everyone came out looking very good. With all the recent attention paid to Tyson Tomko, I really am curious as to the roll he’s going to play in Sunday’s match. Christian may actually go over.
Randy Orton gets a thumbs up from me this weekend. He’s getting that edge back that’s been MIA since last September. They’ve got one more show to try and put this over a little bit more so I’ll most definitely be watching Smackdown! On Thursday. For a feud that was fairly thrown together, it’s been pretty decent, especially considering there’s been little interaction between the two.
The Bad: As much as I hate to say it, I’m just not feeling the Triple H-Batista feud anymore. Again, we were presented with a very bland interaction between the two. I don’t think this has anything to do with Dave or Hunter’s lack of effort. The booking is just haywire. Dave, in my opinion, is almost a shoe-in to go over Sunday night. A Triple H win would be like throwing a match in the gas tank for Batista’s character. I’m not expecting much from these two, but I think at this point, it’s safe to say this match won’t be carrying this show.
The Ugly: The Tag Team situation on Raw is just awful. For the first time since I can remember, we won’t be seeing any tag team action at Wrestlemania, which is sad. It most definitely appears as if creative is sucking wind heading into the finish line of their fiscal year. With the rumored additions of the Shane Twins and a few Smackdown! Draft possibilities, I’ll be optimistic about the future. Anything to get my mind off the present.
Overall: C+: For the show immediately preceding Wrestlemania, this show was Supposed to be the icing on the cake. Instead it seems as if the cake is being brought out of the oven half-cooked. This inevitably will be a Wrestlemania that will be 1.) NOT remembered for it’s main events and 2.), carried by strictly good match ups. On paper, I’m hard pressed to find a better-looking card. Wrestlemania XIX was very good as was Wrestlemania X-7. However purely on paper, I’d say this is the best. As far as build up is concerned, it’s probably towards the bottom of my list. Lack of competent booking and what appears to be a thoroughly gassed creative team is to blame here.
All in all though, I think we’re going to get at least two very good matches out of Wrestlemania 21. Rey-Eddie and the Six-Man Ladder match are guaranteed classics. HBK-Angle should be good and Orton-Taker will be solid as well. I’m very optimistic about the Cena-JBL match being pretty decent but I’ve got low expectations for Hunter and Batista. Here’s to a hopefully good Wrestlemania.
As a single night show, it didn’t deliver much in the way of Wrestling and featured some lackluster buildup.
Quick Results
--Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and Shelton Benjamin def. Christian, Edge, and Tyson Tomko via submission.
--Christy Hemme def. Trish Stratus in an Arm Wrestling match
--Tajiri and William Regal def. Maven and Simon Dean and La Resistance
--Shawn Michaels and Muhammad Hassan fought to a no contest
Who’s Hot, Who’s Not
Biggest Pops-
Batista
Chris Jericho
Shawn Michaels
Most Heat-
Randy Orton
Triple H
Muhammed Hassan
Match of the Night: Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and Shelton Benjamin v. Christian, Edge, and Tyson Tomko. (***)
Any Questions, comments, or feedback send email me at raw@wrestleview.com